Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

Warning: Scammers are intent on leaving you penniless during coronavirus pandemic

Consumer protection officials say people should be on the lookout for coronavirus-related scams that are designed to drain bank accounts and ruin lives in the process.(Photo: TimArbaev, Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Any hopes that scammers would stay away from the coronavirus pandemic gripping the nation have been obliterated. Consumer protection experts say they are operating multiple rip-off schemes, ranging from stealing stimulus payments, to fraudulent government grants, to tampering with telecommunications from homes.

“I’m not surprised at all,” said Susan Bach, of the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau. “We were expecting scammers would try to capitalize on this.”

Bach warned unsuspecting people to never divulge Social Security numbers or bank accounts over the phone. Some scammers are telling potential victims that they need to pay a fee to receive the stimulus money, which is expected to be sent to people throughout the country in the near future. There is no fee for the checks and the government would never call to ask for private information, she said.

“They have no conscience,” Bach said of scammers. “They have no problem taking the last dollar from you.

“(The stimulus money) is meant to help people who are suffering from this coronavirus quarantine. We would hate to see this money wind up in a scammer's pockets.”

Bach said people who are at home telecommunicating with co-workers are also being targeted by scammers, who are making fraudulent calls and using voice cloning methods to impersonate their bosses or supervisors.

She urged those who receive a message or a social media post that they qualify for a special COVID-19 government grant to take no action. Targeted victims who click on the link are taken to an “official website” where they are asked to enter personal information and banking details to process the grant. Those who fall for the scheme can pay a heavy financial price.

The Better Business Bureau’s scam tracker also has received reports of people who have been contacted by text messages, social media posts and messages, and phone calls with offers of grants to pay medical bills, among other phony grants.

The BBB warned those who have been targeted to refrain from clicking on links.

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul also is urging residents to watch for scams and instances of price gouging relating to the outbreak of coronavirus.

“I encourage everyone to report potential scams and price gouging and to take precautions, such as relying on verified and trusted sources of information, to guard against fraud,” Kaul said.

Kaul alerted people to a series of precautions, including:

Being wary of phishing emails, phone calls and text messages. The Wisconsin Department of Justice has been informed of emails from scammers claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization. Kaul instructed residents who want to ensure they are receiving valid information from a government official, insurance adjuster or healthcare representative to go directly to the source instead of responding to an unsolicited communication.

Being aware of any claim of a vaccine or a cure for COVID-19. Instead of listening to unverified claims, people should follow the guidance of their healthcare providers.

Reporting scams to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Complaints can be filed at DATCPHotline@wisconsin.gov or through the agency’s hotline at 800-422-7128.

Being cautious when donating to a charity. State law specifies that fundraisers and charitable organizations are required to register with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. Residents should verify that a charity is legitimate before donating. For more information, visit https://wdfi.org/charitable organizations/.

The U.S. Department of Justice also is urging people to report instances of suspected COVID-19 fraud.